When Pleasure Rules (The Shadow Keepers, #2)

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When Pleasure Rules (The Shadow Keepers #2)

3.99 of 5 stars 3.99 · rating details · 603 ratings · 53 reviews

Seven innocents have been brutally murdered on the streets of Los Angeles, yet the Shadow Alliance has no suspects and no leads. And as more bodies are discovered, the age-old feud between the vampires and werewolves threatens to explode and turn the city into a living nightmare.

With her back to the wall, Lissa Monroe—a strong-willed, ravishingly beautiful succubus who ent...more

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Published September 28th 2010

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Oct 31, 2012 May Mostly Romance rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal

When Pleasure Rules ของเจเค เบ็ค

เรื่องนี้เป็นเล่มสองในชุด แต่ไม่เข้าใจค่ะ เพราะดันเลือกเล่าเรื่องของตัวละครที่ไม่มีบทบาทในเล่มแรกเลยแม้แต่น้อย คราวนี้เรื่องพาคนอ่านไปยังกลุ่มมนุษย์หมาป่ากันบ้าง

วินเซ็นต์ แรนด์เป็นมือสังหารประจำเผ่าหมาป่า ซึ่งมีที่มั่นอยู่ที่กรุงปารีส เขาได้รับคำสั่งจากผู้นำให้เดินทางมาลอสแองเจลิสเพื่อสืบหาความจริงเกี่ยวกับข่าวลือที่ใส่ร้ายหัวหน้าของเขา แต่การมาเยือนของแรนด์ไม่ได้รับการต้อนรับจากกลุ่มแวมไพร์ที่ยึดเอาเมืองแห่งนี้เป็นที่มั่นเท่าไหรนัก

จากเหตุการณ์ในเล่มก่อนหน้า ผู...more

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Oct 30, 2010 Melindeeloo rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-romance-shapeshifters, shapeshifters

The evidence in a series of high profile murders involving a paranormal killer point to neither a shape-shifter or a vampire as the murderer but also rule out neither. Political ramifications for the leaders of the paranormal communities add urgency to stopping the murders and the members of the PEC (paranormal police) are under pressure to solve the crime quickly. The PEC set their sights on werewolf enforcer Vincent Rand who is conducting his own investigation into the murders and coerce succu...more The evidence in a series of high profile murders involving a paranormal killer point to neither a shape-shifter or a vampire as the murderer but also rule out neither. Political ramifications for the leaders of the paranormal communities add urgency to stopping the murders and the members of the PEC (paranormal police) are under pressure to solve the crime quickly. The PEC set their sights on werewolf enforcer Vincent Rand who is conducting his own investigation into the murders and coerce succubus Lissa Monroe into using her special powers to gather intel on Rand.

I ended up really enjoying When Pleasure rules, even though I wasn't overly enthralled with the first book in the series, When Blood Calls. I thought that wolf-shifter and succubus was an interesting pairing and the redemption theme was a good one, as Rand - a lifelong killer, convinced he is more animal than man and doesn't have a soul - finds love with Lissa - who as a succubus, knows a lot about souls, but shouldn't have the ability to love. I also liked that, despite the instant draw between Rand and Lissa, the fact that Rand's soul is so fragile to start out with draws out the claiming and ups the sensual intensity of the eventual consummation. And there are enough other things going on in When Pleasure Rules, with elements related to the reasons behind the murder and the murder investigation itself, that the romance between Lissa and Rand is balanced out by the other elements of the story.

I also appreciate that even though she is only two books into her series, author Beck has developed a fair amount of intriguing characters in her supporting cast. The most interesting so far are Nick Montegue, a vamp lawyer who still has feelings for the succubus who betrayed his love in her former life and the slightly more than human PI, Petra, with her mysterious secret. But I am also hoping to find out more about: vampire Caris who is girlfriend to were-leader Gunnolf, hardnosed parademon cop Doyle - who certainly needs a woman to rock his black and white world - and Sergius, the vamp with control issues whose struggle with his barely leashed demon has garnered my sympathy. I read that Beck has a contract to write three more books in this series and hopefully my favorites will all get a turn in the spotlight.

One element of the first book which I really did like was that was missing in this story? I had been intrigued by the secret paranormal judicial system and was hoping to see a bit more of it here, but I guess I'll just have to be patient since it looks like maybe my wish will be granted in When Wicked Craves.
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Oct 09, 2010 Marissa Dobson rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2010

After reading When Blood Calls I was anxious to start reading When Pleasure Rules , sadly it didn't live up to When Blood Calls for me. I excepted When Pleasure Rules be as good if not better When Blood Calls .

Honestly I am not really sure the reason I didn't care for When Pleasure Rules . I would have to say that at least part of the reason was I didn't fall in love with the main characters. Honestly I really didn't care for either of them. I didn't find Rand and Lissa to be likable.

Lissa is a...more

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Jun 10, 2011 E. rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal

Lissa Monroe is a succubus who has lived several lifetimes using sex and her ability to siphon souls but now tries to rescue others from the servitude that she was condemned to. She is tasked with attempting to obtain information from the visiting werewolf Vincent Rand who fears the beast inside of himself but has returned to the city of his youth in a bid to clear his leader Gunnolf from being implicated in the troubles being experienced by Tiberius, the lead vampire in Los Angeles. Ryan Doyle...more

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Jan 17, 2012 Erinaceina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-reads, 2012-reads, angsty-dark-heavy-lotsa-drama, bad-boy-heroes, dark-and-dangerous, favourite-heroes, favourite-pairings, gamma-heroes, hero-abused-scarred-torture-angst, hero-thinks-he-isn-t-good-enough, heroine-tortured-scarred-angst, other-paranormal-creatures, paranormal-romances, shapeshifters-werewolves, surprisingly-good

Oh wow. Like some other people, I had high expectations of the first book in this series, and felt let down by the reality, so I was a bit dubious about reading this book. I only bought it because I really wanted to read something with a shapeshifter hero, preferably a tormented one. And wow, Rand was tormented. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about Lissa being a succubus, especially the soul-taking aspect. But that turned out to be one of the most romantic aspects. (view spoiler)...more

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Oct 24, 2010 Darcy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010

With this book we got a little different look into this world. The main couple of this book were so broken having been through so much in their lives. Lissa is a succubus, who is reborn life after life, often times not remembering what happened in those previous lives. Rand grew up in the hard part of LA, a gang member and killer before he hit double digits. So it was appropriate when these two lost souls managed to find each other. But being their pasts were so colorful they weren't without pro...more

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Sep 01, 2010 LeeAnn rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 10, 2012 StrangeBedfellows rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really loved the first book of this series, "When Blood Calls." I really liked this one. So no real love here, but it is a good book in a good series. The two main characters, Lissa and Rand, are both appealing and well-written -- especially as a duo. There was plenty of chemistry, to keep things lively, and complexity, to keep things interesting. The story was also nicely paced from cover to cover, and I never grew bored. Best of all, just enough attention was given to the "supporting" charac...more

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Nov 29, 2010 jD rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: series_paranormal, series_vamps, magic_demons

I really like this un-named series and enjoyed this 2nd installment. I will be honest, the reviews were not enticing overall. I decided to take the chance because the 1st book was so well done and the 3rd book has good reviews. I was curious and I had a Borders coupon, so I got it on the cheap.

I digress. This installment takes us into the lives of Lissa, a succubus, and Rand, a werewolf. We also get to enjoy characters from previous books and a few new ones. I will tell you upfront, I did not li...more

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Jun 06, 2012 Jennifer rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-challenge

I was disappointed that the characters weren't characters from the first book, however I soon got over that as I delved into the pages of murder, mayhem and love. The coming together of these two characters was a wonderful read.

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Jul 08, 2011 Amara Pierce rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The hero and heroine of this novel are not in the first book of the series, so at first I was disappointed. Luckily, many of the characters from the first novel make an appearance in this one, so I got a chance to satisfy my fix for those characters while also growing to care for Lissa and Rand.

The way the succubi work in the Shadow Keepers series was really interesting to me. You also get to learn a little more about the werewolves. Overall, it was definitely a book I'd recommend.

After reading...more

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Jun 04, 2011 Tamran rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own

I did like this book. Maybe not as much as the first but I enjoyed the story. This one seemed a little slower to start than the first. About a little more than half way thru it picked up for me & I wanted to find out what happened.

If I had a complaint it would be once u read what Rand was feeling/seeing/talking about when he was with Lissa it broke off & then u read it again only from Lissa's POV. the same would happen if it were Lissa first. It's not a bad complaint but what I think ma...more

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Jan 02, 2011 Stacy {Texas Reader} rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-other

Another Hit! This is the second in the series and is just as strong as the first. Sometimes a 400+ page book has some slow and tedious parts. But not this series, each page is packed full of action, suspense, and passion. The characters from the first book all return to help solve the crime against humans. But we meet a few new ones including the main couple. Theirs is an interesting match, each with their own baggage and pasts. I really enjoy the character development in this series, each chara...more

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Jul 30, 2012 archdandy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: wild-and-furry, succubus, adult, paranormal-romance, blood-suckers

In the second book of the Shadow Keepers series we follow succubus Lissa and weren Rand. It's hard to really pinpoint what the plot was and explain it because there were so many different plot threads going on in this book. There were a lot of characters and it seemed like every single one of them had their own side plots. Lissa and Rand didn't even share the same plot. They each had problems of their own that just happened to intersect. I guess I will say the main plot thread was somebody tryin...more

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Jun 19, 2011 Maria rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: demons-magic-weres

“When Pleasure Rules” by J.K Beck is not just another paranormal romance. It’s a book full of action, adventure and passion. The world the author has created is dark and sexy.
The story is about Lissa Monroe a succubus who lived many lifetimes using sex and her ability to take souls. Although she is a succubus she hasn’t feel more than simple sexual desire for no one until she meets Rand, a werewolf. He is a man on a mission and he is not an easy going man. He had a very hard life and a born to...more

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Mar 31, 2012 Ruby rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-romance

This review was first posted on http://www.rubysreads.com.

I spent a lot of time at the bookstore this past weekend looking longingly at book three of the Shadow Keepers, When Wicked Craves. I really wanted to read it. But my conscience kept piping up to remind me that I had made a vow to read series books in order. It's a good thing I don't have a well-developed wild side. I gave in to my conscience and brought When Pleasure Rules to the register with me and I don't regret it one bit.

My relucta...more This review was first posted on http://www.rubysreads.com.

I spent a lot of time at the bookstore this past weekend looking longingly at book three of the Shadow Keepers, When Wicked Craves. I really wanted to read it. But my conscience kept piping up to remind me that I had made a vow to read series books in order. It's a good thing I don't have a well-developed wild side. I gave in to my conscience and brought When Pleasure Rules to the register with me and I don't regret it one bit.

My reluctance to read this book was based on the fact that I'm not really into the whole succubus thing. Or incubus thing, for that matter. I had a similar issue with the Seminus Demon thing in Larissa Ione's Daemonica Series. Anyway. I'm probably just a prude. But I'm glad that I picked up this book because it's got some good characters. And while I had some problems with the story--I was a little uncomfortable with the fact that Lissa, the heroine, had sex with another man in the beginning of the book (but after she'd met the hero, Rand)--I found myself enjoying the journey anyway.

I didn't expect to like the heroine of this book. She's a succubus and there's the non-hero sex. Unexpectedly, I did. She is, as the back cover blurb tells us, strong-willed. She's determined to have her freedom and to get it for others like her. And until Rand walks into her life, sex is about sustenance and physical pleasure--not about connecting to another person. Moreover, Lissa is a sympathetic character. She has a past she's not proud of and she's done things that have hurt people. Many of those things were in a past life she can only sort of remember, but she feels the guilt of them all the same. Lissa is also haunted by the fact that she has a special ability. Not only does she suck souls for sustenance, when she does so, she takes a bit of that person's memory. This makes Lissa a valuable commodity, especially for those who are interested in peoples' secrets. That is, blackmailers and cops. Because of her gift that's not really a gift, Lissa is forced to do things she doesn't want to do--which is doubly painful for a woman who has fought and scratched her way into independence.

Rand, whom we met very briefly in When Blood Craves, is also a tortured character. Even before he was turned into a werewolf, he was pretty bad-ass. As in, gang-banger and, later, in Special Ops. He was nine when he made his first kill, and basically, after that, he never stopped. Ironically, it was after he was bitten (and his wife died) that he took a hard look at himself. Rand's story is the one of a character reformed and it takes Lissa to convince Rand that he has some good in him.

Basically, I felt like these were two characters that deserved each other. Neither is perfect and neither thinks him or herself perfect. I also really appreciated that Beck didn't draw out the undercover part of the story. I was really afraid we were going to be submitted to a long groveling experience where Lissa was forced to feel really awful and rejected and Rand had vicious I-love-her-but-I-hate-her thoughts. Rand does find out that Lissa was sicced on him by Division, and he does see red and scream: Betrayer! but it all happens pretty swiftly. Though I admit there was a moment there where I thought he was going to entirely and completely blow it--not just with Lissa, but with me. He came pretty darn close.

By far, however, my favorite aspect of the novel was the supporting characters. I'm really hoping that Doyle and Sergius get their own books. I love learning about them piece by piece. Both men will make for some mighty fine tortured heroes some day. I also really liked Petra and I'm chomping at the bit to get to her and Nicholas' book. This book was worth it for the world-building and for the characters we got to know. There's a larger arc in the works, I can just tell. It's a little like the Psy-Changeling books in that way and I've just discovered how much I love that sort of thing. (less)

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Oct 20, 2010 Paranormal Haven rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed-read-by-athenna, reviewed-read-by-stephanie

The on going feud between werewolves and vampires continues and is getting deadlier each day. The Shadow Alliance, secret organization that governs the paranormal, wants answers now. Werewolf Vincent Rand is back in Los Angeles to find out who is framing his boss Gunnolf for the murder of 7 humans with more bodies piling up. Lissa Monroe is to use her succubus powers and ability to look into her lover's minds to find out more about Rand for the Alliance or will be forced to give up every thing s...more

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Jul 21, 2012 Robin rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: digital, j-k-beck, 2012, shadow-keepers

this is the second book in J.K. Beck's Shadow Keepers and I'm really enjoying this series. The characters are really well done, even the secondaries and the world is put together well. I like this one even better than the first one. The story is a little predictable where the romance is concerned but it's told well enough that I just don't care. Can't wait to see who the third book centers around. There are so many great characters I can't imagine I'll be disappointed.

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Aug 23, 2011 February Four rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Unfortunately, I just couldn't get into this one. That's unfortunate--I enjoyed When Blood Calls. I'm not sure if I'll try another one from this series, because if I'm only 50-50 on it, chances are I'm likely to be further disappointed (and harsher in reviews.) For both my sake and the author's, I think I'm going to stop here.

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Oct 13, 2010 Destiny Philipose rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Another winner from J.K. Beck! I was very excited to delve back into the world of the Shadow Keepers and all the same characters from book one (plus some new and exciting ones)! I thought it was a little harder to get into than the first book, despite being familiar with characters/setting, but the action picked up and never stopped! I will be eagerly awaiting the release of book three at the end of this month!!

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Jul 21, 2011 Jeanne rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Much better than book 1 - but I think it was because I couldn't really get into the characters from the first HEA. I far preferred this book. Overall a good series and it may end up higher on my recommended list if the next book improves upon this one like this one did on the first one.

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Apr 22, 2012 Junie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-paranormal, romantic-suspence, series-read, mystery-thrillers, weres, vamps, shapeshifters, paranormal

Another great story by J.K. Beck. Looking forward to the next installment in this series. I love the fact that this isn't just another fluffy, sparkly vamp/weren story! As a fan of Paranormal Romance and Murder/Mysteries and Thrillers, I get it all from this author and The Shadow Keepers series!

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Dec 04, 2010 Brooke rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I liked the writing much more, and the characters were more interesting (though I still really like Luke and Sara). I liked the fact that we got to see so much of previous characters along with this new storyline. I find this particular paranormal world very interesting and I'm looking forward to reading the next installment.

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Jan 02, 2012 A.J. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This story was on Rand and Lissa. We didn't meet either of them in the first book, which was kind of a bummer for me. I like to have some history of the characters. In saying that, I think she did a great job establishing a history with previous characters. I like that we also met Petra (who is in the next book). Still feel for Serge and can't wait for his book. Rand was likeable; Lissa I really liked. Great suspense..didn't see where everything was going:) It's not stuck on one particular story...more

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Jun 30, 2011 Joan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

J.K. Beck has created an alternate world that is smart, sexy and convincing. Her characters are not always likable, but they grow on you as you move from book to book in the series. I'm looking forward to the next book.

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Mar 16, 2011 Karen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I find that there are very few authors that can twine several plots effortlessly. JK Beck certainly can. Her stories are always a pleasure to read.

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Oct 04, 2010 Cindyg rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was so full of everything...I no doubt missed something. I did enjoy the story but it was difficult for me to connect to the primary characters because there was so much going on with the secondary characters. You really have to pay attention, with little or no distractions. It should be interesting to see where the next book goes, I believe it's Nick and Petra's story; hopefully it will be a little easier to connect with them.
The pace in this book is good, I liked Rand and Lissa alot...more

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Jun 24, 2012 Ivonne rated it 2 of 5 stars

I was expecting more like when blood calls i put down this book a few times , i didn't enjoy the character there were kind of lame, the bad boy was to change to be a good one but he still be a bad boy and the heroine isn't a heroine at all, she need another people to do her bidding, yes she did save a few girls but she use blackmail to do it and she really didn't change what she was before change her name to lissa.

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Dec 06, 2010 Robin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was a good romance. The love scenes were a bit annotated and rushed. Guess I like to take my time ;)

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Oct 08, 2010 Jenn rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: keep-in-library

Murder and werewolves and smut clubs, OH MY!
Beck is 2 for 2 with this series. This book was steamy, fast-paced, and kept me guessing right up to the end.

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About J.K. Beck

J. K. Beck spent more than ten years as a litigator in Southern California and Central Texas, using her rare free time to indulge in her passion for writing. Now she uses her legal background as inspiration for her paranormal romantic suspense series, The Shadow Keepers, set in and around a secret judicial system hidden within and mirroring our own.

California born, J. K. now lives and writes in Te...more

More about J.K. Beck...

Books by J.K. Beck

When Blood Calls (The Shadow Keepers, #1)

When Wicked Craves (The Shadow Keepers, #3)

When Passion Lies (The Shadow Keepers, #4)

When Darkness Hungers (The Shadow Keepers, #5)

When Temptation Burns (The Shadow Keepers, #6)

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When Pleasure Rules (The Shadow Keepers #2)

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